on an expedition.’ The man shrugged. ‘He’s always off on a whim, no matter who he wants to sail with.’
‘In that case, you’ll often see him here.’ The boy suggested.
‘Once or twice a month.’ The sailor snorted again. ‘If business is going well, even more often.’
‘And is he always like that?’
‘Yeah, always. He complains, but whatever he says, he pays in gold, so let him complain. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you the same.’ The sailor waved his hand dismissively. ‘Captain Andersen knows him, knows the score; he’s just waiting for Mr Horvater to finally say how much he’ll pay.’
‘It seems rather troublesome.’
‘We’re wasting time, but what can you do? It is what it is.’
‘And he wants to take all that on the carts?’
‘And probably more. We’ve got a big hold, so there’s no need to worry about the quantity.’
‘Won't bess be a nuisance on the journey?’ The dragon gently steered the faltering conversation back onto the track he had in mind.
‘Stubborn beast,’ the sailor grumbled. ‘Worse than a mule. Just sits there, won't budge, and growls at you if you try to get near him. Ungrateful scoundrel.’
‘Perhaps Mr Horvater would like to sell him?’
‘He’d like to, but no one’s taken him.’ The sailor shook his head in resignation. ‘And now I’ll have to deal with him again. Oh, I don’t see our bosun helping with that.’
‘It can’t be that bad. Besses tend to be hard-working.’
‘Tss… If anything, it’s not this one.’ This time, the sailor turned towards the dragon and fell silent.
It was clear that the sea wolf was taken aback by the other’s appearance, but his gaze quickly drifted past the dragon’s back and settled on Kei. Especially as the werewolf’s hostility was practically oozing from him.
‘Would Mr Horvater mind if I interrupted him?’ asked Draco, trying to speak calmly and with conviction.
‘R-rather not...’
The dragon merely nodded to the man and tossed him a gold coin in thanks. The startled sailor nearly toppled over, but instead bumped into a few
